Where to Go for Catholic Church Abuse
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Where to Go for Catholic Church Abuse
When families visit their place of worship, they have the right to trust that they will be welcomed and provided with care. Unfortunately, this is not the case for all families or their children.
In the past several decades, many public cases of Catholic priests abusing their parishioners have been reported. In many of these instances, the victims were young boys and girls.
This horrendous trend has led to many criminal investigations and charges. However, victims also have the right to seek civil claims against their abusers.
If you or someone you love has experienced this type of treatment, you may wonder where to go for Catholic Church abuse. Victims of religious abuse deserve to be compensated for the harm that they have experienced.
When searching for where to go for Catholic Church abuse, look no further than the nation’s largest personal injury law firm—Morgan and Morgan. Our skilled attorneys have a thorough understanding of the federal and state statutes that are relevant to abuse cases.
Do not allow those who cause harm to go unaccountable. Contact one of the knowledgeable tort specialists at Morgan and Morgan to explore your legal options.
In Catholic Church abuse cases, victims can seek financial compensation for any related damages. Our compassionate legal team understands the sensitive nature of these cases.
We will gladly provide you with a no-cost private consultation with no obligation to hire our firm. Fill out the contact form on the Morgan and Morgan website to schedule a legal case evaluation for free.
Catholic Church Abuse Cases
When a religious leader or clergy member abuses someone in their care, they should pay for the harm they cause. Emotional damage from Catholic Church sexual abuse can last a lifetime.
Abuse victims often struggle with mental health concerns and other personal and emotional difficulties. With so many significant consequences to this type of wrongful act, it can be confusing to know where to go for Catholic Church abuse.
Unfortunately, sexual abuse is not uncommon. According to research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), boys experience sexual abuse at a rate of 17%.
Girls under the age of 18 experience sexual abuse at a rate of 25%. These statistics are both shocking and incredibly sad.
Most sexual abuse victims know the person perpetrating the wrongful act. However, many instances of abuse go unreported.
This is especially true when the perpetrator holds a socially-respected position, such as a religious leader or authority. According to one CDC report, 93% of underaged sexual abuse victims know their abuser.
If you or someone you love has experienced this type of abuse, you are not alone. It can seem daunting to hold your abuser legally accountable for their actions.
However, the compassionate team at the firm of Morgan and Morgan has decades of experience with these types of cases. When you have suffered at the hands of someone you trusted, you deserve justice.
In the aftermath of an instance of abuse, it is normal to feel confused and overwhelmed. This is true even if the incident took place years earlier.
When you wonder where to go for Catholic Church abuse, it is vital to understand your legal rights. The accomplished legal specialists at the firm of Morgan and Morgan will happily walk you through the entire civil claims process.
You should not have to manage the intricacies of a legal claim on your own. Let our compassionate team fight diligently to recover the compensation you are rightfully owed.
While some victims are reticent to come forward, the wider knowledge of Catholic Church abuse crimes has empowered many to speak out. When you are wondering where to go for Catholic Church abuse recourse, speak with a civil litigant to get justice in your case.
The Damaging Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse
When children sustain sexual abuse, the results are devastating. These horrendous acts are severely traumatic and cause long-term damage.
Victims of this type of trauma often experience both psychological and physical issues from their abuse. Every instance of childhood sexual abuse can cause unique damage to the victim.
But some symptoms and conditions are more typical than others in the context of Catholic Church sexual abuse cases. Victims in these cases often suffer from:
- Anxiety and depressive issues
- Panic disorders
- Personality issues and disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Difficulty sleeping and other somatic disorders
- Eating disorders
These are only a few of the mental health conditions that can arise as the result of an instance of childhood sexual abuse. Victims often suffer from a wide range of physical health consequences, as well.
This is true regardless of the specific nature of the initial event. Childhood sexual abuse survivors are more likely to show signs of health problems. Specifically, victims often suffer from:
- Gastrointestinal problems and issues
- Chronic and recurring pain
- Reproductive health problems
- Gynecological issues
- Cardiopulmonary complications
- Weight issues and obesity
If you have suffered from any of these psychological or physical conditions, you may have grounds for a civil claim for damages. The accomplished personal injury claims attorneys at Morgan and Morgan know how to hold abusers responsible for their actions.
No abuse victim should have to carry their financial and personal burdens alone. Because our tort lawyers care deeply about getting justice for our clients, we will happily review the facts of your case and help you pursue the recovery that you deserve.
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Who Can File a Claim for Catholic Church Abuse?
One of the first steps in pursuing justice is to determine whether you are entitled to pursue a civil legal claim. Whether you have the right to file a lawsuit over Catholic Church abuse depends on your case's specific circumstances.
When you contact our offices, one of our legal specialists will review your situation and help you determine your best legal options. Some of the people who may have grounds for a Catholic Church abuse lawsuit include:
- Child victims of abuse
- The parents of child victims
- Adult victims of assault or abuse
- Adults who sustained abuse as minors
Many states have passed legislation to make it easier for adult victims of childhood sexual abuse to take action. These victims may be able to take legal action against the perpetrators years or decades after the initial event.
To explore the legal options for Catholic Church abuse recourse in your state, speak with an expert at America’s largest tort law firm. Morgan & Morgan has over 700 attorneys nationwide who will fight tirelessly to secure a positive outcome in your case.
What Are The Types of Compensation in Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Cases?
It is devastating when you suffer abuse by a trusted member of your community. Most victims feel disoriented, angry, and confused about what steps to take.
Because of this uncertainty, many claimants are unsure about the types of compensation they should claim through a resulting abuse lawsuit. The value of a particular clergy abuse case will depend on the specific facts of the situation.
However, some types of financial repayment are common in successful claims. Like most tort claims, Catholic Church abuse cases typically involve two types of financial compensation, also known as “damages.”
The two main categories of financial payments to victims are “economic” and “non-economic” damages.
Economic Damages
This type of legal payment reimburses the victim for any direct monetary losses resulting from their injuries. For instance, many abuse victims require ongoing medical or psychological care.
The needs of a Catholic Church abuse victim can become expensive quickly. Victims should not be forced to pay skyrocketing costs for damage another person caused.
Some typical examples of economic damages in Catholic Church abuse cases are:
- Current and past medical costs necessitated by the abuse
- Anticipated future or ongoing medical expenses
- The cost of psychological care or therapy
- Loss of long-term earning capacity because of the resulting damage
Most people only consider the mental and psychological harm that childhood sexual abuse causes. However, many victims face significant financial harm, as well.
Non-Economic Damages
Most of the worst outcomes from instances of clergy abuse are not monetary in nature. Victims typically suffer long-term or chronic psychological, social, and emotional harm.
Even though these outcomes do not result in direct financial losses, victims should still be compensated. Non-economic damages cover this type of compensation.
Some examples of non-economic damages that Catholic Church abuse victims can pursue include payments to compensate for:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Lasting emotional anguish and distress
- Anxiety disorder and panic attacks
- Embarrassment
- Ostracization
- Temporary or permanent disability
It can be difficult to accurately determine the value of the non-economic damages in a Catholic Church abuse case. How much is the emotional damage caused by child sexual abuse worth?
Questions like this can seem impossible to answer. It is critical not to undervalue the non-economic damages in a tort claim. Speaking with one of the knowledgeable legal experts at Morgan and Morgan will guarantee that you pursue every cent to which you are rightfully entitled.How Does Morgan & Morgan Handle Legal Fees?
Many accidents, injuries, and abuse victims are reasonably concerned about the cost of securing a legal representative. However, the compassionate team at Morgan & Morgan knows that victims already have enough financial difficulties.
For this reason, our firm operates based on a contingency fee approach. When you hire one of our experienced tort attorneys, you will not pay anything unless we recover the money you deserve.
What Is the Statute of Limitations on Child Sexual Abuse?
It is critical to file a lawsuit in your case before the statute of limitations has passed. Seeking compensation after this legal time limit has passed will result in the dismissal of your claim.
The statute of limitations on Catholic Church abuse is different in various locations across the country. Speak with a knowledgeable lawyer to determine the statute of limitations in your case.
Let Morgan & Morgan Get Justice in Your Abuse Case
When you or someone you love has experienced abuse by a clergy member, it is critical to hold them accountable. The skilled legal team at Morgan & Morgan has decades of experience fighting successfully for our clients.
We will not rest until you receive the payments you deserve in your Catholic Church abuse case. Contact our law firm today to schedule a legal consultation for free and with no obligation.
Fill out the online contact form to speak with one of our compassionate attorneys about your situation. Let our team fight for you.